These are quick pickles that don’t require any cooking or specialist canning equipment. They are simply made in the jar. The fermentation does increase the shelf life of the cucumbers a little, but these are not long-life pickles – they need to be kept in the fridge and consumed within 3-4 weeks. Pickles are incredibly versatile. Use them as a topping in homemade burgers, as an ingredient in cold beet soup or to make a tangy tartar sauce for your favorite fish & chips. We serve them as a crunch garnish on the side of just about everything, from grilled meats to fried eggs. The acidic bite and salty taste mean that very little other seasoning is needed on the plate.

The essential ingredients in this recipe are the cucumbers, water, vinegar & salt. Anything after that is a bonus and can be adjusted to suit your own taste. My mix gives a hint of garlic flavor without overpowering and the spices are fragrant but subtle. However, if you don’t like garlic just leave it out. If you don’t have this mix of spices just use whatever you have to hand. Mustard seeds would work well. Caraway seeds would traditionally be used in Lithuania instead of fennel – I just happened to have fennel in my pantry. Fresh dill is also a traditional ingredient in pickles, but I’m not a fan so I never use it. Add a few chili flakes if you like a touch of heat. My only advice would be to start with very small quantities of whatever spice you’re using – you can always add more in future batches if you like your results.

Wash the cucumbers and arrange in a one-liter jar.Add the garlic, peppercorns, coriander, fennel and bay leaf to the jar.Mix the water, vinegar and salt in a separate jug, ensuring the salt is well dissolved into the mixture.Pour the liquid mixture over the cucumbers, covering them completely.Leave the jar sitting at room temperature for 24 hours. (The fermentation works better at room temperature, so don’t put them in the fridge just yet.) Your pickles will then be ready for eating.If you find the pickles are too salty for your taste you can pour off a little of the liquid and top up with water. The saltiness will reduce very quickly – within a couple of hours. Keep a note to use a little less salt in your next batch.Once fermented, the pickles will keep well in the fridge for 3-4 weeks. A slight scum may form on the top of the liquid. If so, just skim it off and the pickles will be fine.